CHANDIGARH: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 99 lac tonnes of paddy till Thursday evening, an official spokesman said on Friday.

Out of total procurement of 98,68,152 tonnes of Paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab , Government agencies procured 80,21,173 tonnes of paddy (81.3%) till date whereas millers have lifted 18,46,979 tonnes    (18.7 %) of paddy. Till October 25, PUNGRAIN had procured 19,99,353 tonnes ( 24.9%) whereas MARKFED procured 19,14,830 tonnes (23.9%). PUNSUP procured 20,39,262 tonnes (25.4%) , PSWC procured 10,92,811 tonnes (13.6%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 8,78,495 tonnes (11 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 96,422 tonnes (1.2%). The spokesman added that Ludhiana District with 12,18,856 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas Ferozepur District with 11,27,922 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Sangrur with a   10,41,214  tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The spokesman added that the Punjab Government has already made payment to the tune of Rs. 4708.40 Crore for paddy procured till 24st October. Rs.5885.26 crore payments have been allocated to all agencies to ensure timely payment to the farmers. The Government had already issued instructions to make payment to the farmers with in 72 hours of lifting paddy.

The spokesman said that to ensure smooth procurement and timely payments to the farmers, the Punjab Government  has already got a cash credit limit of Rs. 7439 Crores sanctioned from Reserve Bank of India for  Kharif Season 2007-08

The State Government has set up 1544 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman0 added.